Minion Island isn't a large island, but it's not a small one either. Its overall terrain is mountainous, with a central peak that rises to a height of several hundred meters.
The abandoned houses scattered across the island suggest that the original inhabitants were mainly concentrated in the town at the summit, with fewer buildings on the foothills and mid-slopes.
According to Marine intelligence, Minion Island was heavily populated before the Great Pirate Era. The houses and buildings across the island were evidence of this. However, with the arrival of the Great Pirate Era, pirates roamed the seas, severing trade routes and preventing the island's natives from getting the necessary supplies, making their lives increasingly difficult.
Compounded by Minion Island's winter climate and the frequent pirate raids, the islanders either froze or starved to death or were killed by pirates.
Eventually, the surviving natives could no longer endure the hardships. They began to leave Minion Island for other places, and the island finally became an uninhabited wasteland. The town at its summit turned into a deserted ghost town.
But today, with a single "Secret Technique: Divine Thunderfire", Cross sliced through the mountain range of Minion Island, splitting the highest peak in two and creating a deep chasm that ran through most of the island.
Cross's attack was slightly off-center, however. The resulting twin peaks were not equal in height, with one being taller than the other, forming a large and a small new mountain.
Doflamingo and Pica were on top of the taller of the two new peaks, which included a section of the ghost town. Most of the houses in the area had been completely destroyed by the powerful shockwaves, turning the town into an uninhabitable ruin.
"Has everyone been sent away?"
Doflamingo's expression was dark as he watched the countless fragments of rock rain down like fiery meteor showers. He wiped a streak of blood from his lip and asked in a grim voice.
In the formerly empty town ruins, Pica emerged from the ground, standing on the broken street. He squeaked, "Everyone has been sent to the coast, and Giolla and Baby 5 are taking care of them. Doffy, you should retreat too. I will cover you!"
"You guys go ahead; I'll follow soon!"
Doflamingo gritted his teeth, his tone unwilling. "I really underestimated that guy. What a miserable day this has turned out to be."
Hearing this, a hint of hesitation appeared on Pica's pale face. He opened his mouth to say something but didn't know how.
"That guy can fly; you can't hold him off. Only I can stop him," Doflamingo said, waving his hand as he explained. "Besides, if you're all gone, I'll be able to fight without a care. I'll have more flexibility, whether I choose to fight or retreat."
After hearing Doflamingo's explanation, Pica's face was filled with anger, but he could only say resignedly, "Alright, Doffy, take care!"
With that, he sank into the ground and vanished.
"Did you think you could escape?"
At that moment, Cross descended from the sky, his voice as loud as thunder. "Don't even dream of it, Doflamingo. I'll have Marduk sink every ship that leaves the island. The only fates for the Donquixote Pirates are death or a lifetime in Impel Down!"
"Fuffuffuffuffu~ So you found out!"
Doflamingo didn't get angry at Cross's words. Instead, he smiled twistedly as he looked at the man floating in the air. "In just four years, you've grown into a real monster. Name your price: Berries, a famous sword, a Devil Fruit, antique jewelry... Anything within my power, just say the word!"
"Do you really think someone born into a noble family would be short on money?" Cross scoffed, holding up Shusui in his hand. He said half-jokingly, "As for a famous sword, I have the Skillful Grade Blade Kagehide and this Great Grade Blade Shusui. I got it as a spoil of war from Gecko Moria's castle. It's the national treasure of the New World's Wano Country, the prized sword of the legendary 'Dragon-Slaying Samurai,' 'Sword God' Ryuma."
"As for a Devil Fruit, how about you eat one more? If you do, I'll turn around and leave right away!"
"Cross..."
Doflamingo's face became twisted and his veins bulged in anger. He couldn't help but growl, "Do you really think you've got me cornered?!"
"Of course... not!" Cross shook his head, his voice teasing. "If we were to fight to the bitter end, I'm confident I could kill or defeat you. But you're not weak. You could leave me with permanent scars. However, I'm not alone. I just need to stall until Vice Admiral Tsuru gets here. So, you can't get away!"
In an instant, Doflamingo's face fell. He was silent for a few seconds.
"But what if I trade you for Law and Corazon?"
Doflamingo wore a warped smile as he spoke in a sinister voice.
"You sent people to capture Law and Rosinante?!"
"That's right. Gladius and Buffalo. Law is a kid, and Corazon is heavily injured. It's impossible for them to escape the two of them!"
Cross was slightly taken aback, but after seeing Doflamingo's smile, he said nonchalantly, "I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. I've arranged a bodyguard for them. Besides, the 'Birdcage' has disappeared, so the Marines on the coast are sure to enter Minion Island. Your two subordinates won't be able to catch Law and Rosinante!"
Meanwhile, on a coast of Minion Island, Law and Rosinante were struggling to trudge through the snow, enduring the bone-chilling cold and blizzard.
"Law, just a little further. I can see the Marine ship!"
"I'm fine, Cora-san, but your wounds are still bleeding!"
"Hehe~ Don't worry. I can handle a little injury like this!"
"..."
Law looked at Rosinante beside him, a worried expression on his small face. Rosinante's face was pale, and he leaned on a wooden stick, but he smiled as he tried to comfort Law.
"You've made us search for a long time, Corazon!"
"Law, it's been a while! Phew~"
A familiar voice came from behind the two, startling both Law and Rosinante. They quickly turned to look.
Through the howling snowstorm, two figures slowly emerged.
"Gladius! Buffalo!" Corazon's face turned ugly, and he uttered the names of the approaching men with difficulty.
Gladius's expression was grim, and he got straight to the point. "You have two choices. Either you come with me obediently, or I shoot you, and I drag you away. Choose!"
Buffalo was a little nervous. He said in a hurried tone, "Getting shot doesn't feel good, Law. You should just come with us!"
"I'm sorry, but I choose a third option!" Corazon's expression was serious as he pulled Law behind him.
Gladius said nothing. He immediately pulled a handgun from his jacket, aimed it at Corazon, and was about to pull the trigger.
"I support the third option, meow~"
But just then, a pleasant female voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Gladius's action.
The four of them turned their heads in unison toward the source of the voice. They saw a small black cat squatting on a nearby rock. It was licking its paws and speaking in a human voice. "You two two-legged creatures are so slow. You're nothing like Cross. It's so cold, I'm getting sleepy just following you, meow~"
"When we get back, you two each owe me a hundred cans of fish!"
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